From late 2011 and throughout 2012, at least 20 new eateries and specialty food shops have opened.

Winnipeg’s newest additions include a coffee shop with less than 10 seats, several authentic Mexican restaurants, pub-grub palaces, a swinging steakhouse, a modern Middle Eastern cafe, a handful of barbecue joints and a Buenos Aires-style pizzeria, among many others.

A half dozen more spots are set to open in the new year.

Meanwhile, other long-time restaurants, representing more than 125 years of experience, announced they would be closing for good including Papa Georges, Wagon Wheel, Kelekis, Spuntino’s and Park Tower.

In late November, Chocolatier Constance Popp opened a second location in the Lombard concourse of the Richardson Centre. Café Postal, a postage stamp-sized espresso shop also opened on Provencher in St. Boniface.

On Monday, Modern Taco Company on Academy Road threw open its doors for the first time. Meanwhile, a new restaurant inside the recently renovated Metropolitan Theatre’s is expected to open Dec. 17. Chain restaurant Milestones has all but confirmed it’s opening a downtown location in Winnipeg and the owner behind Pizzeria Gusto is also expanding with a new restaurant in the city’s hub.

Former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Obby Khan hopes to open his Exchange District eatery, Shawarma Khan in the new year.

Hermanos and Corrientes Argentine Pizzeria owner Noel Bernier will open his Brazilian churrascaria Carnaval in early January.

Two new West End eateries, Midnight and Blue Nile, are also in the works.